“It’s irresponsible to build a garbage dump next to a sacred site like Gregory Mountain that is so spiritually important to the Luiseno people, and in a location that directly threatens critical drinking water sources for San Diego County residents,” said Damon Nagami, attorney for the environmental group.

The landfill is proposed for just off State Route 76 near the Pala Indian Reservation. It would span 308 acres inside a 1,770-acre parcel about three miles east of Interstate 15 and two miles southwest of the community of Pala. The San Luis Rey River is nearby.

The proposed Gregory Canyon landfill has been embroiled in controversy since its unveiling about 20 years ago.

It went before county voters in 1994 and again in 2004. Both times voters sided with the developers.

Kehoe cites those ballot results for her opposition. “The people of San Diego County have voted on this issue twice,” she said. “I feel very strongly that has to be respected.”

Earlier this month county supervisors voted to oppose the legislation because they see it as an unwelcome intrusion into local affairs.

But Vargas said the state has intervened before, most recently by requiring fluoride in drinking water.

Landfill supporters say all of the necessary environmental protection standards will be met. The county also is running out of space for its trash, they say.